Finance Officer - Grants & Budgetary Control

Based in Heidelberg, Germany, EMBL's Budget Office is responsible for the financial administration of 330 research grants. This includes assisting with budget preparation, monitoring and controlling expenditure against awarded budgets, and ensuring the timely preparation and submission of financial reports to grant-giving bodies. Your role Reporting to the Budget Office Deputy Head, you will join a team of 9, working closely with the Grants Services team, our Scientific groups, external funding agencies and auditors. In this exciting role, you will have a broad range of responsibilities, focusing on financial grant reporting and the management of internal and external budgets.

• Acting as the primary post-award contact for Principal Investigators, project managers and funding bodies.
• Preparing and submitting financial reports for grants in line with the compliance requirements of various funders.
• Performing quality checks to ensure the completeness and accuracy of financial reports and that expenditure complies with funders' rules.
• Supporting budget holders in the efficient management of their budgets by providing accurate and timely financial data.
• Providing proactive financial advice and support on grants and internal budgetary matters to assist stakeholders in decision-making.
• Interpreting contractual documentation and analysing and applying funders' financial rules and regulations.
• Contributing to the preparation of the Laboratory's annual budget.
• Supporting and administering internal and external audits.
• Contributing to the development of our financial and management accounting system and other financial controlling projects.

• A university degree in accountancy and finance, or equivalent experience.
• Solid experience in accounting and controlling, including management accounting and budgetary control.
• Sound knowledge of basic accounting concepts and financial reporting principles.
• Experience with modern ERP systems is a prerequisite, preferably with Workday while knowledge of SAP & Business Objects is highly desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of standard office software packages, particularly Excel.
• Fluency in English and a good working knowledge of German.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Professional accounting qualifications.
• Experience in grants administration within an international organisation or an organisation engaged in research.
• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish.